Posted on Monday, January 26, 2009
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ST. TITUS, PASTOR AND CONFESSOR

26 January Anno T Domini 2008

"Rebuke False Teachers”

Titus 1:1-9

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

A pastor "must hold firm to the trustworthy Word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Tit. 1:9). 

It's right there in Scripture - "rebuke those who contradict [sound doctrine].”  And, this is not the only place we find this charge given to pastors.  It's all over the place.  It's a constant theme.  One of the primary duties of a pastor is to rebuke false teachers, so that he may protect the flock from the poison of their teachings. 

But, people today have been so conditioned by the pluralistic, "can't we all just get along,” postmodern world in which they live that they don't want to hear their pastors rebuking false teachers.  "Keep the message positive, pastor.  Nothing can be gained by criticizing others.  Nobody wants to hear that negative stuff.  Just focus on the good things we have as Lutherans.  That's all we want to hear.” 

Those sentiments have been shared with me on a few occasions during my short ministry.  But, I know I'm not alone.  Many of my brothers in the ministry have shared with me that they receive the same kinds of criticisms from the people they serve whenever they're about the business of rebuking false teachers.  The challenge for the 21^st century Lutheran pastor is to remain steadfast amidst such criticisms, to continue to do what he is charged to do, even if some people don't like it.   

St. Titus stands as an excellent example for pastors to follow.  Already in the infant Church of the 1^st century, when the Word of the Lord was still being proclaimed by His apostles, false teachers were wreaking havoc, leading many astray.  It is for this reason, more than any other, that the Holy Spirit inspired them to write the letters we have in Holy Scripture.  It is for this reason that we take time this morning to celebrate the Feast of St. Titus, for he was appointed to be Bishop over the Cretan Churches, and, as St. Paul makes clear, his primary duties would be to ordain pastors, oversee their doctrine to ensure it was sound, and to rebuke those who contradicted it.  This, St. Titus did faithfully, in Crete and other places, until he was called home by the Lord at the ripe old age of 94.  He, like all of the faithful prophets and apostles, is remembered for his faithfulness to the Word and his refusal to compromise the Gospel, and his willingness to rebuke false teachers hell-bent on destroying the Church.

My friends, God's Word does not allow for compromise.  Truth is not relative.  Your opinion doesn't matter.  Neither does mine.  Anyone who claims to be a Christian preacher, but avoids his responsibility of rebuking false teachers is not being faithful to the Office entrusted to him.  A shepherd protects his flock from danger.  That's what pastors are called to do.  And, the truth is that we are surrounded by false teachers in our day and age, more than ever before.  So, this charge to "rebuke false teachers” will be one that faithful pastors are constantly executing today, no matter how unpopular that may be to some.

Thus, dear friends in Christ, as we honor St. Titus this morning, let us pray that the Lord would continue to raise up faithful pastors in our midst who would boldly and courageously proclaim the Truth of His Holy Word, and rebuke those who contradict it in any way.  And, let each one of us pray for the Holy Spirit-wrought wisdom and guidance to listen to such faithful pastors when the Lord graciously provides them.  Let us hear them as they preach the truth, unpopular as it is, that we are poor, miserable, sinners who deserve God's temporal and eternal wrath and punishment.  And, let us hear them when they comfort us with the sweet message of the one and only Gospel which points us to the cross of Jesus Christ where He shed His Blood and died for every one of our sins.  And, let us hear the Holy Absolution from their lips, as from the lips of Christ, and receive the Host and Chalice from their hands, as from the hands of Christ, knowing with absolute certainty that, through them - through this precious means of grace - forgiveness, life, and salvation are delivered.  Let us protect them; let us honor them, those faithful pastors who continue to be faithful to their charge to protect all of us from the dangerous wolves, the false teachers, that want to lead us to Hell.  May that be our lot, our goal, in this life, and may the Holy Spirit give us the wisdom and guidance to accomplish it.  In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name.  Amen.

Now the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, unto life everlasting.  Amen.